OUR STAFF
Heidi Barrett
Executive Director
Heidi Barrett comes to ASPEN with over 31 years of experience working with non-profits in and around Park County, Montana. She began her non-profit career as the sole employee of a small grass-roots organization, the Beartooth Alliance, in Silver Gate, Montana in the early 90’s. This group was formed to stop an industrial sized gold mine on the border of Yellowstone National Park. She then worked for the Greater Yellowstone Coalition for 17.5 years in the development department. She directed the Park County Senior Center for nearly two years before joining the ASPEN team.
Heidi’s passion has always been about creating healthy communities. She enjoys people from all walks of life and is energized when making a positive difference for those around her. Heidi has BFA from the University of Nebraska, with a teaching endorsement for K-12 in Art Education.
You can reach Heidi at Heidi@aspenmt.org or call
406-222-5902, ext. 2.
Jenny Jo Allen
Education and Prevention Coordinator
Jenny Jo Allen joins Aspen with over 15 years experience working in various Livingston non-profit agencies. During her time as a Links after school program coordinator, she was inspired to continue her education, majoring in applied psychology and minoring in health and human services. After earning a bachelors degree at Montana State University in Bozeman, she served Park, Gallatin, Sweet Grass and Meagher counties working for Western Montana Mental Health, Learning Partners, Community Health Partners and Youth Dynamics.
Assisting individuals and families with their goals to improve community health has been Jenny Jo’s focus throughout her career. She believes in creating safe places for all people to express themselves and understands the importance of establishing healthy boundaries in relationships. As ASPEN’s Education and Prevention Coordinator, Jenny Jo hopes to improve the current health and vitality of our community for generations to come.
You can reach Jenny Jo at jennyjo@aspenmt.org or call 406-222-5902, ext. 5.
Kelly Miller
ASPEN Part-Time Weekend Advocate
Kelly Miller comes to ASPEN with a law enforcement and military background. She has worked for the City of Billings as a 911 dispatcher and the Park County Sheriff’s Department as a detention officer. Her training with sexual harassment/assault response and prevention through the Montana Army National Guard shifted her interest into helping survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Trained in crisis intervention and advocacy support, Kelly is dedicated to empowering survivors and linking clients to local resources.
She hopes to continue her education and strengthen her skills in order to serve the community and ASPEN. Kelly enjoys being involved in the community and volunteering her time to several local organizations.
You can reach Kelly at kelly@aspenmt.org
Holly Knodel
ASPEN Safe House Manager
Holly Knodel comes to ASPEN with over 25 years of experience working with children and families, providing mental health services. Holly is a Montana native, having been born and raised in this great state. She attended the University of Montana and graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree double majoring in Social Work and Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology. She moved to Livingston in 2002. Most of her professional experiences have been in the non-profit realm. She began working in the mental health field while still in college and has primarily worked with children and families since.
Since early on, Holly has known she would work in the social work arena, having identified at age 13, where she would be attending college and what she would study. Helping families heal after trauma and empowering individuals to work toward mental health is the core of what she loves doing. Since college, work in the non-profit arena has been especially important to Holly. Outside of work, Holly enjoys spending time with her family and friends, working in her yard and relaxing on her deck. She also enjoys making jewelry and spending time outdoors in this great state looking for “pretty" rocks.
You can reach Holly at holly@aspenmt.org or by calling
222-5902, ext 4
Rebecca Ruhd
ASPEN Program Advocate
Rebecca Ruhd comes to ASPEN with a background in public school transportation and self- employment. She is grateful for the opportunity to help those who are hurting through relevant services to empower them through the healing process; and to work with the volunteers and professionals who are building a stronger, healthier community.
She believes in the power of storytelling to build compassion, empathy and human connection; and in the value of active listening. She and her husband have been blessed to raise their family in the same beautiful town where she was born. Rebecca is excited to join the ASPEN team and work closely with the community to further its mission.
You can reach Rebecca at rebecca@aspenmt.org or by calling 406-222-5902, ext. 3.
Val Newton
Val comes to ASPEN after what she thought was her official retirement. She worked for 30 years for the Department of Public Health Human Services followed by 12 years with Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch. When her daughter was in high school, she got Val involved in a youth empowerment non-profit, Center for Adolescent Development. Val enjoyed it so much, she continued to volunteer there for several years. Val’s desire to make a difference for children and families, also brought her to providing foster care for several years.
Val’s has extensive experience working with children and families who have experienced trauma and the tools to allow healing within those families. After retiring she missed the interaction with people in the community and being a part of a team environment providing for a healthier community. When the part time position at ASPEN became available, Val thought it would be a great fit - and it is!
Val grew up and raised her family in Livingston. She is grateful to have her children and four grandchildren living in the area, so she can spend time with them. Val has done some traveling with her family and looks forward to many more adventures with them and her friends.
You can reach Val at val@aspenmt.org
Stella Newman
Stella was born and raised in Paradise Valley, Montana and graduated from Park High School and Studied at York University in York, Nebraska and received her bachelors of science in psychology with a minor in biology in April of 2020. Stella has always had a strong drive to support my community so when she moved back to Montana, she started an internship with ASPEN where she received support advocacy training and interned under Jenny Jo Allen where she learned how to teach violence prevention curriculum in the schools and to organize outreach events for the community.
Stella wholeheartedly enjoys helping students develop their minds to think critically about their environment. Stella says, “I believe that prevention education is a wonderful tool to begin the conversation about healthy relationships and compassion while allowing students to practice what they learn. My passion is to support survivors of human trafficking and sexual violence and I hope to further my education to gain the skills and knowledge to do so.
You can reach Stella at stella@aspenmt.org